Colony counting and zone measuring
Automated imaging
COLONY COUNTING &
ZONE MEASURING
An automated system for all
your applications
Synbiosis is the manufacturer and supplier of the world’s most
popular automated colony counters and zone measurement systems.
With over 25 years of experience, Synbiosis systems provide
dedicated solutions for a wide range of applications. ProtoCOL 3 is
the number one choice in the automated colony counting and zone
measurement market.
ProtoCOL 3 is the next generation instrument for colony counting, zone
measuring (inhibition and AST), membranes, PETRIFILMTM plates and a range
of other applications including: Spiral plates, OPKA, SBA, Multi-sector,
Multi-well, SRD and Ames. ProtoCOL 3 enables plates of up to 150mm to
be automatically read at the press of a button.
Designed for use across a wide range of applications,
ProtoCOL 3 will count colonies as small as 43 microns
(0.043mm) or measure zones accurately to 0.5mm
with a theoretical detection limit of 0.1mm.
ProtoCOL 3 has a unique LED lighting
system configured for exceptional
illumination of all sample types.
High definition, colour images
taken with a 1.4 mega pixel
ADVANCED
AUTOMATION &
EFFICIENCY IN
MICROBIOLOGY
scientific grade CCD camera
ensure that even the smallest
colony can be seen and
counted, while zone
measurements are
fast, accurate
and reproducible.
ProtoCOL 3 is
available with a
mounted touch screen
processor which enables ease of control while the
easy-to-use software produces highly accurate results.
Alternatively, ProtoCOL 3 can be used with a new or
existing stand-alone desktop or laptop computer via USB
connection - no additional PCI cards are required.
ProtoCOL 3 comes inclusive with both colony counting and
zone measuring ability. To extend its range of applications,
inexpensive additional modules can be added to the
software for Spiral, OPKA, SBA, Multi-sector, Multi-well, SRD
and Ames as well as an optional bespoke statistics package.
Results can be automatically transferred to Excel or a LIMS
system. The system can also be used with 1D and 2D barcodes.
All data generated is GLP/GMP compliant with a full audit trail and can
be used to produce professional reports. Each system comes complete
with 2 validation plates.
PETRIFILMTM is a trademark of 3M Company. 3M Company is not affiliated
with Synbiosis and does not endorse or certify Synbiosis’s products.
PROTOCOL 3 SOFTWARE
Applications at the touch of a button
At the heart of every ProtoCOL 3 colony counting and zone sizing system is
the innovative and intuitive ProtoCOL 3 software. Designed for maximum
ease of use and with the needs of the busy microbiologist in mind, ProtoCOL 3
software easily guides the user to the appropriate functions
for each application. The great variety of modern
microbiology techniques are easily addressed by the
flexibility of ProtoCOL 3 software.
•
Modular design for application specific
functionality
•
Displays only those commands relevant
•
Simple touch screen interface
•
Images and data
to each operation
enhances productivity
automatically saved with
each measurement
•
Installed SQL database
facilitates LIMS
connectivity
•
Results can easily
be exported to
spreadsheets
PROTOCOL 3 A SOLUTION
FOR EVERY
MICROBIOLOGY
APPLICATION
ProtoCOL 3 has two
methods of counting:
Total Plate Count and
Colour Classification.
Total plate count gives
a quick and accurate
count. Colour classification
allows colonies to be
separated according to
colour, size and shape.
Colonies grown on
membrane filters can
also be counted with
ProtoCOL 3 using the
grid removal function.
Controls on the
measure screen allow
adjustments to be made
on a plate by plate basis
if required.
Zones are measured
at the click of a button
to an accuracy of 0.5mm
with a theoretical
detection limit of 0.1mm.
Edit function for
count and zone
measurements allows
plates to be adjusted if
required, with a full audit
trail to keep a track of
any changes made.
Customisable reports
produced in Excel* or
OpenOffice.
*Excel licence required
PROTOCOL 3
Ease of use is the key
The ergonomic design of ProtoCOL 3
makes it very comfortable and
easy to use.
Processor
ProtoCOL 3 Plus is supplied with a touch screen panel PC.
ProtoCOL 3 requires connection to a stand-alone desktop or
laptop computer.
Design
The ergonomic design has a small footprint and looks good in any
laboratory or production environment.
Camera
An internal high resolution CCD camera captures high definition
images and detects colonies as small as 0.043mm and zones to an
accuracy of 0.5mm with a theoretical detection limit of 0.1mm.
Sliding doors
Two solid sliding doors can be positioned to eliminate
external light.
Platform
The sample platform has interchangeable backgrounds (black,
white, clear) for effective brightfield and darkfield exposure.
Round plates from 55mm – 150mm can be used.
Square plates up to 150 x 150mm can be viewed.
For plates larger than this please contact us for
further information.
Lighting
A unique lighting configuration using red, green and
blue long-life LEDs give outstanding colour images
with excellent contrast.
ProtoCOL 3 offers 4 times the resolution of similar
systems.
The innovative lighting system in ProtoCOL 3 exposes
the plate to rapid bursts of red, green and blue light.
The resulting colour composite image has excellent
definition and clarity with no chromatic aberrations.
An automated self calibration process ensures
accurate colour definition with each exposure.
PROTOCOL 3 APPLICATIONS
Applications you can image with a ProtoCOL 3
Ames testing
The Ames test is used to
determine the degree of
probable mutagenic activity
likely to occur in the presence
of one or more chemicals
Antibiotic susceptibility
test – AST
Antibiotic susceptibility is a
term used to describe the
sensitivity of bacteria to an
antibiotic
Bioburden membrane
filtration
Environmental monitoring –
Settle plates
A Bioburden test determines
the approximate number of
microorganisms on or in a
product prior to sterilisation
and acts as an early warning
system for possible
production problems which
could lead to inadequate
sterilisation
Environmental monitoring
describes the processes and
activities that need to take
place to characterise and
monitor the quality of the
environment
Microbial limits test –
membrane filtration
Microbial limits testing –
pour plate
Microbial Limits Test is
designed to perform the
quantitative estimations
of specific viable
microorganisms present in
samples including membrane
filtration
Microbial Limits Test is
designed to perform the
quantitative estimations of
specific viable microorganisms
present in samples. There are
four methods for this test of
which pour plate is the most
common
Multi-sector plates
OPKA – opsonophagocytic
killing assay
Microbiological monitoring of
the air in facilities where
pharmaceuticals and medical
devices are produced is
essential and well established
The in vitro opsonophagocytic
killing assay (OPKA) is
essential for developing and
improving vaccines,
particularly pneumococcal
vaccines
Preservative efficacy
testing
Serum bactericidal
assay – SBA
Preservative efficacy
testing is required for the
assessment of the
antimicrobial preservation of
multiple-use cosmetic and
pharmaceutical products
Serum bactericidal
assay- SBA is a method of
measuring the bactericidal
activity contained in a
patient’s serum as a result of
antimicrobial therapy
Spiral plates
Single radial
immunodiffusion – SRD
Spiral plate is an apparatus
for the quantitative
estimations of viable
microorganisms present in
samples. A logarithmically
decreasing volume of sample
is spiraled on the surface of a
rotating Petri dish
SRD is based on the diffusion
of antigen from a circular
well into a gel containing
antiserum. A circle of
precipitated antigen and
antibody forms, and continues
to grow until equilibrium is
reached
APPLICATION SPECIFIC
SOFTWARE MODULES
ProtoCOL 3 is the perfect system for multiple applications in the food, water,
clinical, pharmaceutical and health industries; the versatile ProtoCOL 3 options
allow the user to customise the software to meet their
application needs.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
High throughput capability suitable for production and large scale testing environments
ProtoCOL 3 is typically used when large numbers of plates need to be counted or measured rapidly and
accurately. ProtoCOL 3 is therefore perfect for high throughput applications. All counting and measuring
functions are automatic with results instantly sent to the internal reporting system.
Colour imaging as standard
The unique LED lighting in the system gives full colour images. The colour classification feature of the
ProtoCOL 3 software allows for an infinite range of colour options on the same plate. A choice of sample holder
is included for both light and dark backgrounds, depending on sample type.
Wide range of applications for versatility
The system can be configured for a wide range of plate types. These include pour plates, spiral plates, multi-well,
SBA, OPKA, Ames, inhibition zones, AST and SRD. Plates up to 150mm can be used on the standard unit,
while an optional external scanning device can be added should larger plates need to be processed.
Extensive report generation
One of the major benefits of an automated system is that reports can be
generated within the device. ProtoCOL 3 will produce reports that can easily
be exported to Excel at the touch of a button.
Traceability of data
All the data generated has a full audit trail. All report generation is
traceable and has an audit ‘lock’. Data is CFR 21 compliant and
the system can be connected to a LIMS if required.
High sensitivity
ProtoCOL 3 uses a highly sensitive CCD camera with a high resolution.
Colonies as small as 43 microns (0.043mm) can be easily counted and
zones can be accurately measured to 0.5mm with a theoretical detection
limit of 0.1mm.
Please refer to
www.synbiosis.com
for all ordering information
HOW TO ORDER
PROC3 Plus
ProtoCOL 3 automated colony counter and zone measuring system, with validation plates
ProtoCOL 3 is an ergonomically designed imaging unit with dark screens to eliminate
ambient light effects and improve imaging results. The unit contains a high resolution
camera with red, blue and green LED lighting (patent pending) integrated to
a processor and software. The software is accessed via a touch screen PC on the
mounted unit and features on-screen commands, allowing users to intuitively
set their system up in minutes. These settings can be saved to make analysing
the same plate types at a later date, a quick one-touch process. Includes zone
module for antibiotic susceptibility testing and inhibition zones and validation plates
for counting and zone sizing
PROC3
As above, without PC
PROC3-SPIRAL-MOD
Counting software module for spiral plates, includes validation plate
PROC3-OPKA-MOD
OPKA software module for opsonophagocytic killing assay
PROC3-AMES-MOD
Ames software module for the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test
PROC3-SECTOR-MOD
Multi-sector plates software module for counting on multi-sector plates, eg, air sample
PROC3-SBA-MOD
SBA software module for Serum Bactericidal Assay
PROC3-MWELL-MOD
Module for counting muiti-well samples
PROTOCOL 3
SPECIFICATIONS
ProtoCOL 3
ProtoCOL 3 Plus
Construction
Ergonomic housing constructed in high
density foam
Integral CCD camera and lens
Ergonomic housing constructed in high
density foam
Integral CCD camera and lens
Mounted all-in-one PC
Light shield
2 sliding doors to prevent excessive
ambient light
2 sliding doors to prevent excessive
ambient light
Camera
1.4m pixel scientific grade
CCD camera
USB integral camera with f1.2 lens
1.4m pixel scientific grade
CCD camera
USB integral camera with f1.2 lens
Resolution
For standard 150mm petri dish, smallest
detectable colony is 43 microns
For standard 150mm petri dish, smallest
detectable colony is 43 microns
Imaging
3 channel capture for colour images
3 channel capture for colour images
Lighting
Unique 3 channel (red, green, blue)
LED lighting (patent pending)
Multi-array LED lighting (computer
controlled)
Lower lighting with upper reflective
lighting for all applications
Unique 3 channel (red, green, blue)
LED lighting (patent pending)
Multi-array LED lighting (computer
controlled)
Lower lighting with upper reflective
lighting for all applications
External connections
USB
Touch screen panel PC
Measurement modes
Colony counting and zone
measurements
Colony counting and zone
measurements
Count modes
Separation of touching colonies,
exclusion areas, colour mode, shape
mode, size mode
Separation of touching colonies,
exclusion areas, colour mode, shape
mode, size mode
Software
Win7 compatible
Win7 compatible
Database
SQL database stores all data and
images
SQL database stores all data and
images
All trademarks acknowledged
A.0023.04.13
Synbiosis Europe and
International Headquarters:
Beacon House Nuffield Road
Cambridge CB4 1TF UK
Tel: +44 (0)1223 727125
Fax: +44 (0)1223 727101
email: [email protected]
Synbiosis USA Headquarters:
5108 Pegasus Court Suite L
Frederick MD 21704 USA
Tel: 800-686-4407/301-662-2863
Fax: 301-631-3977
email: [email protected]
Website: www.synbiosis.com
Please refer to
www.synbiosis.com
for all ordering
information
A.0023.09.14
All trademarks acknowledged